Is it too cold for your knees?

by Rudra S. Consultant

Back in time, grandmothers with their aching knees would announce that winter was on its way! The times have changed, but the pain remains. As soon as there is a drop in the temperature, the complaints about joint pain rise.

According to a lot of doctors, there’s always a surge of patients with knee pain during the winter and rainy seasons. It is presumed that the pressure of the air (Barometric Pressure), the amount of humidity in the atmosphere, and the precipitation can be some triggering reasons behind these recurring aches.

However, scientists are still trying to understand this connection! So, is it just the gloomy weather that plays some mind games, or is there a real relation between the weather and the joints? Let’s find it together!  

The ups and down of Barometric Pressure

While there's no consensus among doctors about the precise reason behind joint pain in chilly weather, few theories suggest that there might be a connection. The first most popular suggestion among theorists is that there is a high probability that people with chronic joint pain may be sensitive to barometric pressure changes. Heavy rains and high humidity lead to a drop in barometric pressure- a measure that refers to the weight of the air. As the sensitive nerves get irritated due to low barometric pressure, the tissues in the body start swelling, creating pain in the joints. 

The story behind the Blood Flow

As soon as the temperature starts dropping, our body starts conserving more heat by limiting the blood flow to the extremities and supplying more blood to our lungs and heart. Due to this irregular blood flow in the winter season, there is stiffness and pain in our joints. Sometimes the freezing temperatures also thicken the fluid inside our joints, making them more prone to pain and stiffness.

Blame it on the laziness

Is it the laziness or the winters? When the temperature goes down, the urge to stay in bed rises, our physical activity decreases, and the joint pain increases. Doctors say that regular exercises help alleviate the pain in your knees, but as the physical movement gets comprised in the changing weather, our knees suffer more. These lousy winter days cause more stiffness due to less blood flow to the muscles.

Mood swings and knee pain

Some people are more susceptible to joint pain in winters. People with a history of chronic pain or arthritis are more likely to feel it during the changing weather. On top of that, the fall in temperature also affects people’s moods. It’s a common notion that people feel more lethargic, tired, or depressed during winters. As disturbing as it is psychologically, these mood swings also make us feel worse physically. The perception of pain magnifies when one is not in a very happy state of mind.

How do we tackle aching joints in winters?

      Dressing up in layers and keeping your body warm helps reduce the effects of the winter season on your body

      Exercising regularly and training your muscles helps strengthen your core and reduces the pressure on the joints that are prone to stiffness in chilly weather

      Take special care of your knees by maintaining a healthy weight and minimizing the stress on your joints

      During winters, it’s better to steer off from physical activities or exercises that cause strain in your joints

      Keep some heating pads handy and apply them on painful areas to relax your muscles

      Winters doesn’t mean lazing around! Make sure to stay active, walk around, and move indoors and outdoors to relax your stiffened joints

      Do not skip on your good night’s sleep and try to stay positive whenever gloom strikes

      Always carry a pain relief spray for immediate results

The best answer to your aching knees- Dynapar QPS

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Created on Feb 7th 2022 05:14. Viewed 169 times.

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